HOW TO COOK THE PERFECT POACHED EGGS • Stockland ✘ Jamie's Ministry of Food, episode 04

Presented by Stockland and Jamie's Ministry of Food.

People have been eating eggs for thousands of years. They are the only meatless source of complete protein, easily accessible and an extremely versatile ingredient. The essential ingredient in classic egg dishes such as tried and tested variations of the boiled egg, the poached egg, scrambled eggs and omelettes. They also feature in quiches, frittatas, pancakes, waffles, muffins and cakes, to name but a few.

When cooking eggs, they should be cooked slowly over a low heat to avoid overcooking. In the case of omelettes and scrambled eggs, always remove from the cook top when slightly underdone as they retain heat and will keep cooking.

A perfectly poached egg is one of the most brilliant things in the whole world! They can be a little tricky to get right but if you make sure you use the freshest eggs you possibly can, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Like all proteins your eggs should be at room temperature before cooking so they will cook more evenly. Start with a wide casserole type pan of lightly salted simmering water, then crack one egg into a cup before gently pouring it into the water in one fluid movement.

Repeat with remaining eggs (depending on pan size, probably limit to 4 at a time).

They will start to cook immediately. A really soft poach will take around 2-3 minutes. To check whether they’re done, remove one carefully from the pan with a slotted spoon and give it a gentle push with a teaspoon.

If they feel too soft, put them back in the water for a minute or two so they can firm up. When they’re ready, remove them with the slotted spoon and use some kitchen paper to dry off.

Serve with buttered toast and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. The best!

Jamie’s Ministry of Food believes that by teaching people to cook for themselves and equipping them with some simple skills and food knowledge, communities are empowered to live healthier, happier lives.

Visit our How-To Series for more easy to follow video guides and get back in the rhythm of creating simple, delicious, nutritious dishes for the whole family to enjoy.

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